Appropriate Work Practices
It is strongly suggested that you read the
MSDS for every substance you come in
contact with and utilize the control measures
(protective measures) and the special
precautions delineated on the MSDS. When in
doubt, consult with your supervisor or an OSU
Safety official.
Emergency Procedures
Report all spills and avoid contact with
substances unless you have the proper
protective equipment.
If you are exposed to a substance that requires
you to have protective equipment—when you
do not have the required protective
equipment—seek medical attention and file a
written report of the exposure with your
supervisor. The record of the exposure will be
kept permanently and will be available to you.
Emergency 911
To report emergencies, dial 911 on or off
campus. The 911 number will provide access
to fire, police, ambulance, or emergency
services.
Acronyms You May Wish to Become
Familiar With
OSHA
Occupational Safety & Health Act
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
NRC
National Response Center (Coast
Guard)
DOT
Department of Transportation
NIOSH
National Institute of Safety & Health
MSHA
Mine Safety & Health Act
TSCA
Toxic Substance Control Act
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations
CAS
Chemical Abstract Service (number)
ACGIH
American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienist
SARA
Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act
TLV
Threshold Limit Value
TWA
Time Weighted Average
PEL
Personal Exposure Limit
UEL
Upper Explosion Limit
LEL
Lower Explosion Limit
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
PPM
Parts Per Million
PPB
Parts Per Billion
Mg/l
Milligrams per liter
Chemical Information Lists (CIL) and Safety
Data Sheets (SDS) are the key sources to
determine which substances are in the work
place and how to avoid exposure to hazardous
substances. CIL's and SDS's are available from
your department and the Hazard
Communication section of the Environmental
Health and Safety Department for Oklahoma
State University. For further information, call
744-7241.
Oklahoma State University
Hazard Communication
Standard
On September 17, 1984, the State of
Oklahoma adopted Federal OSHA
Standards 29 CFR 1910 and 1926 to apply
to the state government and its political
subdivisions. Title 40 O.S., sections 401424, Oklahoma statutes as amended.
Oklahoma State University--Hazard
Communication Standard Right-to-Know
Employees of OSU have the right to know
the properties and potential safety and
health hazards of substances to which they
may be exposed. Such knowledge is
essential to reducing the risk of
occupational illness and injury.
Goals of Right to Know:
 To help you reduce the risks involved in
working with hazardous materials
To transmit vital information to employees about
real and potential hazards of substances in the
work place
 To reduce the incidence and cost of illness
and injury resulting from hazardous
substances
 To promote public employer's need and
right to know
 To encourage a reduction in the volume
and toxicity of hazardous substances
by the Commissioner, based on documented
scientific evidence that poses a threat to the
safety of an employee.
It is very important to know how to read and
understand the SDS. It is designed and
written in 16 sections:
Identifying Hazardous Substances
Section I
Product Identification
(Chemical Name and Trade Names)
Every container of hazardous substance must
bear a label showing the chemical name and the
Chemical Abstract Service number (CAS #) or
the manufacturer's label, or the OSU identifying
label. In addition, many containers will have
pictorial labels suggesting the protective
measures required in handling the substance.
Hazardous Substance
A hazardous substance is any substance that is
a physical hazard or a health hazard.
(a) “Health Hazard” means any chemical or
biological substance or agent that is listed in the
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health
Administration's list of Toxic and Hazardous
Substances, 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart “Z,”
and any other substance including, but not
Iimited to, chemicals that are carcinogens, toxic
or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins,
irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hematopoietic
system, and agents that damage the lungs, skin,
eyes or mucous membranes, and any substance
for which a Safety Data Sheet has been
provided by the manufacturer as a hazardous
material, or such substances deemed by the
Commissioner, based on documented scientific
evidence, that poses a threat to the health of an
employee.
(b) “Physical Hazard” means a chemical that is
a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an
organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric,
unstable (reactive) or water-reactive, and is
contained in the U.S. Occupational Safety and
Health Administration's list of Hazardous
Materials, 29 CFR Part 1910,Subpart “H,” and
any substance for which a Safety Data Sheet
has been provided by the manufacturer as a
hazardous material, or such substances deemed
Other labels and placards will utilize a
numbering system of 0-4 to determine the
seriousness or the hazard of the substance in
the three categories of Health, Flammability, and
Reactivity. ln all cases, a 0 means the least
threat while a rating of 4 means the greatest
danger.
How to Determine Which Substances Are in
Your Place
Discuss this topic with your supervisor and
review your department's Chemical Information
List (CIL). To determine the extent of the hazard
of each substance on the CIL, or protective
measures required in using the chemical, locate
the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each
substance. The SDS will provide an in-depth
analysis of the substance along with all
precautions necessary to handle the substance
safely.
Chemical Information List/ Safety Data
Sheets
Chemical lnformation List (CIL) is the list of all
hazardous substances in a specific location.
Every substance on the CIL will have a Safety
Data Sheet (SDS) on file at your department and
with the Hazard Communication Office.
Section II
Hazardous Ingredients
(Components and Percentages)
Section III
Physical Data
(Boiling point, density, solubility in water,
appearance, and color, etc.)
Section IV
Fire and Explosion Data
(Flash point, extinguisher media, special
fire fighting procedures, and unusual fire
and explosion hazards)
Section V
Health Hazard Data
(Exposure limits, effects of overexposure,
emergency and first aid procedure
Section VI
Reactivity Data
(Stability, condition to avoid, incompatible
materials, etc.)
Section VII
Spill or Leak Procedures
(Steps to take to control and clean up spills
and leaks and waste disposal methods)
Section VIII
Control Measures
(Respiratory protection, ventilation,
protection for eyes or skin or other
protective equipment)
Section IX
Special Precautions
(How to handle and store, steps to take in a
spill, disposal method, and other
precautions)